Black Panther Party

Black Panther Party

The Black Panther Party was an important political group in the United States. It was started by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in October 1966 in Oakland, California. The group wanted to protect African American communities from unfair treatment by the police. They also worked to improve living conditions, education, and food for children. They believed in strong community control to help people live better lives.

At first, the Black Panther Party became known for watching police activity and carrying guns openly. This showed they would not accept bad treatment. Over time, the group grew and had chapters in many cities across the country and in other countries. However, they faced strong opposition from the government, especially from the FBI, which spied on and tried to weaken the group.

The party's time had many difficult events, including conflicts within the group and with law enforcement. Even though the group declined in the 1980s, the Black Panther Party's ideas about justice and community help are still remembered and discussed today.

History

Origins

During World War II, many black people moved from the Southern states to cities in the Bay Area, like Oakland, to find work. This change brought new challenges, such as poverty and racism, which young black people wanted to address through new political ways. The Civil Rights Movement had fought against unfair laws in the South, but conditions in Northern and Western cities remained difficult. Police departments in these areas were mostly white, and black communities often felt left out of political power.

Founding

In October 1966, Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale founded the Black Panther Party in Oakland, California. They were inspired by other Black Power groups and wanted to directly challenge unfair treatment by police. They started by patrolling the streets to monitor police actions, aiming to protect their community. Their efforts gained attention, especially after a protest at the California State Capitol in May 1967 against a law that would ban carrying guns in public.

Late 1966 to early 1967

The Black Panther Party began with small groups of members who used California’s open-carry gun laws to follow police cars and record any mistreatment. In February 1967, they provided an armed escort for Malcolm X’s widow at an airport, which helped grow their numbers. The party’s focus on watching the police sometimes made people think they were violent, but their main goal was to stand up for their community’s rights.

Rally in Richmond, California

In April 1967, after a black construction worker was killed by police in Richmond, the Black Panther Party held rallies to educate people about self-defense. Because every Panther was armed and followed the law, police rarely interfered. The party’s message resonated with many in the community.

Protest at the Statehouse

In May 1967, the Black Panther Party protested at the California State Capitol against a bill that would make carrying loaded guns in public illegal. Twenty-six armed Panthers, led by Bobby Seale, entered the assembly to show their opposition. This protest made headlines and led to the arrest of Seale and others, but it also brought more attention to the party’s cause.

Ten-point Program

The Black Panther Party published its Ten-Point Program in May 1967, outlining what they wanted for their community. Their demands included freedom, full employment, decent housing, and an end to police violence. They also called for education that taught true history and justice for all Black people.

Late 1967 to early 1968

In August 1967, the FBI began a program called COINTELPRO to disrupt black nationalist groups, including the Black Panther Party. The goal was to weaken their leadership and reduce their support. The party faced many challenges, including confrontations with police and internal disagreements.

Huey Newton Charged with Murdering John Frey

In October 1967, Oakland police officer John Frey was shot and killed during a traffic stop involving Huey Newton. Newton was charged with a serious crime, but his conviction was later overturned. The case brought more attention to the party and its fight for justice.

Free Huey! Campaign

Newton claimed he was falsely accused, and the party started a “Free Huey!” campaign. This campaign gained support from students, anti-war activists, and other groups. Newton was eventually released after three years when his conviction was reversed.

Founding of the L.A. Chapter

In 1968, the Los Angeles chapter of the Black Panther Party was founded by Alprentice “Bunchy” Carter. Many early members were from the Slauson Street gang, and the chapter grew quickly.

Killing of Bobby Hutton

Bobby Hutton, the party’s first treasurer and a young recruit, was killed by Oakland police in April 1968 after a shootout. His death became a symbol of the party’s struggle against police violence and inspired many supporters.

Late 1968

In 1968, the party shortened its name to the Black Panther Party and focused on political action. They expanded to many U.S. cities and grew to nearly 5,000 members. The party started social programs like the Free Breakfast for Children Program, which fed thousands of children and taught them about their history and rights.

Survival Programs

The Black Panther Party started several community programs to help people in need. Their Free Breakfast for Children Program became very popular, feeding twenty thousand children in the 1968–69 school year. Other programs included free medical clinics, clothing distribution, and classes on politics and self-defense.

Political Activities

In 1968, Eldridge Cleaver ran for president on the Peace and Freedom Party ticket. The party also influenced the White Panther Party in Detroit and supported various left-wing groups.

1969

In 1969, the party faced many challenges, including internal disagreements, conflicts with other groups, and increasing pressure from law enforcement. Despite these difficulties, they continued their educational programs and community services.

Shoot-out with the US Organization

The party had conflicts with the US Organization, a black nationalist group in Los Angeles. These conflicts resulted in the deaths of several Panthers and increased tensions within the community.

Black Panther Party Education Programs and Liberation Schools

The Black Panther Party believed strongly in education and started after-school programs and Liberation Schools to teach Black history and political science. These schools provided a different kind of education that focused on empowering students and fostering a sense of community.

Intercommunal Youth Institute

In July 1969, the Richmond Black Panthers opened the first Liberation School, which later became the Intercommunal Youth Institute in Oakland in 1971. This school offered individualized instruction and focused on Black history and culture, providing a supportive environment for students.

Oakland Community School

In 1974, the school moved to a larger facility and was renamed the Oakland Community School. It continued to grow and received recognition for its high standards in education. The school closed in 1982 due to challenges faced by the party.

Killing of Fred Hampton and Mark Clark

In December 1969, Chicago police, working with the FBI, raided the home of Black Panther leader Fred Hampton. Hampton and another Panther, Mark Clark, were killed during the raid. The incident highlighted the difficult times the party faced.

Torture-murder of Alex Rackley

In May 1969, three members of the New Haven chapter harmed and killed Alex Rackley, a 19-year-old member they suspected of being a police informant. The case led to trials and convictions of several Panthers, highlighting internal conflicts and trust issues within the party.

International Ties

The Black Panther Party gained support from activists around the world. In 1969, Bobby Seale and Masai Hewitt toured Scandinavian countries and Germany, speaking about their goals and the “Free Huey!” campaign. They also met with representatives from various countries and groups, building international connections.

1970

In 1970, Leonard Bernstein held a fundraiser for the Black Panther Party. Later that year, Huey Newton’s conviction was overturned, but he remained in prison until August when he was released.

International Travels

In 1970, a group of Panthers traveled to China, North Vietnam, and North Korea. They met with government officials and discussed ways to fight against unfair treatment.

1971–1974

Newton focused the party on community programs and schools. In early 1971, the party founded the Intercommunal Youth Institute to provide a different kind of education for Black youth. The school offered personalized learning and focused on empowering students.

Split

Disagreements among leaders led to a split in the party. Some leaders, like Huey Newton, focused on community service and self-defense, while others, like Eldridge Cleaver, wanted a more confrontational approach. The split caused violence and the loss of many members.

Delegation to China

In September 1971, Huey Newton led a delegation to China. He met with Chinese leaders and discussed support for the Black Panther Party. Newton described China as a free and liberated territory with a socialist government.

Newton Solidifies Control and Centralizes Power in Oakland

In early 1972, the party closed many chapters and brought operations to Oakland. They focused on winning political power in the city. Although they didn’t win major elections, some Panthers were elected to local government positions.

Newton Indicted for Violent Crimes

In 1974, Huey Newton and other Panthers were charged with harming police officers. Newton went into exile in Cuba to avoid prosecution for the death of Kathleen Smith. He was later acquitted of the charges.

The Panthers under Elaine Brown

In 1974, Elaine Brown became the first chairwoman of the party. Under her leadership, the party focused more on electoral campaigns and increased the roles of women within the organization.

Death of Betty van Patter

In 1974, Elaine Brown hired Betty Van Patter as a bookkeeper. After a dispute over financial issues, Van Patter went missing and was later found dead. The party was widely believed to be responsible, but no one was charged.

Return of Huey Newton and the Demise of the Party

In 1977, Newton returned from exile in Cuba. By 1980, membership had dwindled to 27, and the Oakland Community School closed in 1982. Newton’s struggles contributed to the party’s decline.

Women and womanism

From the start, the Black Panther Party focused on helping black men and their communities. But women were important members, too, and took on bigger roles over time. By 1969, the party started treating women as equals and changed its rules to support this.

The party believed in a womanist view, which focused on the experiences of African-American women and saw racism as a big problem. This view mixed black pride with support for women’s rights, and said that men and women needed to work together. Women became leaders, helped run community programs, and fought for fair treatment. By the late 1960s, women made up a large part of the party and had many important jobs.

Gender dynamics

At first, the leaders of the Black Panther Party didn’t focus much on getting women to join. But when a woman asked about leadership roles, they began to see how important women could be. Some male leaders had unfair ideas about women, but many women joined anyway because they wanted to help their communities.

Women's role

The Black Panther Party started many community projects, like breakfast programs, education, and health services. Women often led these efforts, even if men were more seen in public roles. For example, women worked behind the scenes on the party’s newspaper, which helped share their ideas and goals.

Elaine Brown

Elaine Brown became a key leader in the Black Panther Party’s Oakland chapter. She was chosen to lead when other leaders had legal problems. She worked to treat everyone equally, but some members disagreed with her ideas.

Gwen Robinson

Gwen Robinson joined the Detroit chapter of the Black Panther Party in 1969. She felt a strong connection to the group and worked hard, eventually becoming the Communications Secretary. She liked the teamwork and shared goals of the party, especially in Detroit where members supported each other.

Connections to other political activist groups

Members of the Black Panther Party worked together with Latino activist groups, such as the Brown Berets and Los Siete de la Raza. They shared similar concerns about unfair treatment in the United States.

The Black Panther Party also supported the women's liberation movement and the gay liberation movement. They believed that all groups facing unfair treatment should work together.

The Black Panther Party had connections with the American Indian Movement (AIM), a group for Native American rights. AIM used some of the Black Panther Party's ideas to help their communities. Both groups worked to show the shared struggles of Black and Indigenous people.

Aftermath and legacy

The Black Panther Party inspired many people and places. They helped black communities feel proud and strong. They spoke up about unfair treatment by police. Today, many remember the Panthers for helping black communities.

Some former members later became leaders in government. In cities across the United States, people still honor the Panthers for fighting for fairness and rights.

Groups and movements inspired and aided by the Black Panthers

Many groups later used names from the Black Panthers to show support for their ideas. These include groups like Assata's Daughters in Chicago, the Polynesian Panthers in New Zealand, and others around the world fighting for rights and fairness. In 1977, Black Panthers helped people with disabilities during the 504 Sit-ins in San Francisco, which later led to important laws.

New Black Panther Party

Main article: New Black Panther Party

In 1989, a group called the New Black Panther Party started in Dallas, Texas. Some people and organizations do not recognize this group as connected to the original Black Panther Party.

In popular media

Books

Many people who were once part of the Black Panther Party wrote books and stories about their time with the group. These include Revolutionary Suicide, written by Huey P. Newton, and Seize the Time by Bobby Seale. Other books like Assata: An Autobiography by Assata Shakur and A Taste of Power by Elaine Brown share similar experiences.

In 2021, a graphic novel called The Black Panther Party by David F. Walker was released. It tells the stories of fifteen important leaders from the Black Panther Party.

Film and TV

The Black Panther Party was shown in the 1994 movie Forrest Gump. A 1995 film called Panther, based on a novel by Melvin Van Peebles, dramatizes the group's beginning.

The 2019 film Seberg, directed by Benedict Andrews, stars Kristen Stewart as actress Jean Seberg. She faced difficulties because of her support for the Black Panther Party.

In The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020), directed by Aaron Sorkin and available on Netflix, Bobby Seale is portrayed by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II during a famous court case.

The 2021 movie Judas and the Black Messiah, featuring Daniel Kaluuya, shares the life of Fred Hampton and his work with the Black Panther Party in Chicago.

A new series called The Big Cigar from Apple TV+ in 2024 explores Huey Newton’s time in Havana, Cuba in 1974.

Art

In 2019, the Museum of Modern Art added 30 issues of the Black Panther newspaper to its permanent collection. In 2021, these issues were part of an exhibition that highlighted the newspaper’s important artwork. Some of these pieces will remain on display.

NFL player and Black Lives Matter advocate Colin Kaepernick worked with Emory Douglas, a former artist for the Black Panther newspaper, to design the cover of his 2023 book, Abolition for the People: The Movement For a Future without Policing and Prisons.